Laughter on the crisis line: What is humor's appropriate place in mental healthcare?
Suuberg A. 2020 Aug 28. Laughter on the crisis line: What is humor’s appropriate place in mental healthcare? BMJ Opinion. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/08/28/laughter-on-the-crisis-line-what-is-humors-appropriate-place-in-mental-healthcare/.
Posted: 12 Sep 2019 Last revised: 16 Feb 2021
Date Written: September 3, 2019
Abstract
“Is it ever okay to laugh with your callers on a suicide prevention line?”
I have asked myself this question a few times while working on crisis lines for the better part of five years.
On the one hand, I can understand arguments for avoiding humor in a crisis. On the other, well-timed humor has shown remarkable power in various crisis situations, from convincing people to open the door to assistance in a domestic dispute, to reducing tensions in heated business meetings.
Keywords: Depression, Mental Health, Healthcare, Humor, Comedy, Suicide, Crisis
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